Megan’s miracle US brain tumor treatment set to cost $1.18 million

A four year old County Cork girl's cancer treatment here in the US will cost over $2 million dollars, although the final figure will be reduced to around $1 million following negotiations.

Young Megan Malone was diagnosed with a rare cancerous brain tumour last October and given just weeks to live by Irish doctors.

To give their daughter a fighting chance Megan's parents, as well as the couple’s three other children, moved to New York in December where Megan had intensive chemotherapy treatment at New York’s Presbyterian Children’s Hospital.

Charity events were held in the young girls honor but her medical costs are said to be four times more than the figures collected in Ireland. To date almost $290,000 has been raised while an anonymous benefactor has offered to cover the cost of Megan's treatment.

The figures were disclosed as the Malone family completed their move from New York to Boston, Massachusetts for the final phase of the brave youngster’s treatment.

Megan is now facing six weeks of proton beam radiotherapy treatment before it is hoped she can return to Ireland.

Megan’s father John told the Irish Examiner: 'The final estimated cost of treatment for Megan in New York was $1,150,000 but after a lot of negotiations and discussion between us the hospital and our anonymous donor, this estimate has now be capped at $850,000.'

Megan’s last MRI scan showed no trace of cancer in her brain or spine, however a slight shadow was discovered. Doctors told the press they were confident it was probably scar tissue or dead cancer cells but nevertheless they have recommended that Megan undergoes radiotherapy as a precautionary measure.

The brave young girls radiotherapy treatment is due to conclude on August 26 and the Malones are now confident that they will be able to return to Ireland soon afterwards just in time for Megan to start play school.